RNIB Connect

Autumn is coming and brings with is changing leaves and beatiful birdsong. Amelia is back with another monthly almanac to celebrate all things September. Learn more about the birdsong and nature you can enjoy this month on the RSPB website - RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Are you one of the many people in the UK who doesn't have a will? David Hogg finds out why some people are put off writing them, why you should really have one and how will writing has become easier in Scotland Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Remember A Charity Week takes place from September 7 to September 13, encouraging people to leave a gift in their Will to causes they care about. For charity RNIB, gifts in Wills are truly life changing. They help the charity to be there for people with sight loss not just today, but long into the future. Here's our Paulina Kuchorew speaking with RNIB's Head of Supporter Experience, Helen Smith. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Leaving a gift in your will is a powerful way to make sure the causes you care about continue to thrive for years to come. Hywel Davies has been finding out how straightforward the process is and how even a small gift can make a lasting difference. For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Writing a will can sound daunting, but the process is often much simpler than expected. Hywel Davies has been finding out how the National Free Wills Network can help to get your affairs in order. For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Barry Snell chats to RNIB’s Legacy Management Lead, Daniel Pepper to find out about the importance of creating a will and leaving a will & about some of the more unusual gifts people have left to RNIB over the years. For more information on the National Free Wills Network, you can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 99 99. giftsinwills@rnib.org.uk Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

For this week’s CEO update on RNIB Connect Radio as Chief Executive Simon Antrobus is on annual leave RNIB’s Interim Chief Operations Officer Debbie Miller sits in for Simon to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. Debbie began by talking about the Synapptic Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses that are now available in the RNIB online shop which Debbie also has on order too. Then to some great topics and themes that came out of the recent BBC Access All interview with TV Producer, Presenter and best-selling Author Richard Osman, who has Nystagmus. Toby and Debbie discussed how he manages to get about with the condition and some of those problem solving skills that we all have as visually impaired people, which would be of great value as we move into a world relying more on AI, plus topics that also chimed with Debbie as a visually impaired person that alined with all the work that the RNIB does to make a more inclusive world for people living with sight loss. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk . You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

How can we have better disabled characters in film? Psychology Researcher and DARK (Disability Action Research Kollective) founder Richard Amm has created a tool for writers to improve disability representation. He tells Amelia about 'People Or Props' Read Richard's dissertation for free here - Development of the People or Props Tool: Integrating Prejudice Reduction Psychology Insights to Improve Representations of Disability on Screen – ScienceOpen Learn more about DARK on their website - The Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) - Disabled Leaders Network Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white and black background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Guide Dog owner Jason Beal who lives in South East London has freed up the pavements of discarded unauthorised Lime bikes for him, his wife Jessica and other visually impaired people. When the discarded Lime bikes were blocking the pavements Jason and his Guide Dog Cain would have to nervously step into the busy London streets to get past the bikes. Following on from raising the issue with their local MP Liam Conlon who took up the matter with Bromley Council and Lime who have now apologised to Jason and Jessica as well as changing their app to stop the hiring of Lime bikes in the borough. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Jason to find out more about what life was like for him and his Guide Dog Cain having to navigate around the discarded bikes and on occasions stepping in to the busy London streets to get past the bikes and what life is like now since the Lime bike ban was put in place in their area. (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font)

Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity. This week Simon looks back on his first six months or so as RNIB CEO, noting a few highlights both internally and externally as well as a few RNIB projects that he is looking forward to seeing develop over the next six months that will help to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk . You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline. #RNIBConnect

In Mere Mortals, San Francisco Ballet takes on the story of Pandora’s Box through the contemporary lens of artificial intelligence. Composer and electronic musician Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) performs his original score live with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as 40 dancers perform. Amelia spoke to Audio Describer Emma-Jane Mchenry to learn more. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter. Audio described shows and events included: Audio Descriptions - Milestones Living History Museum, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London - Love’s Labours Lost, Sunday 6 September, 1pm, touch tour 11am,, Much Ado About Nothing, Tuesday 8 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, AS you Like It, Thursday 10 September, 2pm, touch tour 12noon, A Tale of Two Cities, Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, The Choir of Man, Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, Wicked 20 – “Pink” Performance, Saturday 26 September, 2.30pm, Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk

Join RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey for a tour of one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge in Wiltshire. English Heritage guides, Stonehenge Deputy Operations Manager Scarlott Rolfe and site Supervisor and Historian Liz Purves give Toby an insight into the history of this world heritage site. During the tour with Scarlot and Liz, Toby found out how the site had developed and evolved over the years through exploring some of the tactile models of Stonehenge that can be found in the visitor centre exhibition, touching the replica stones gave him a real sense of the size and texture of the stones, stepping into one of the replica neolithic houses opening up a window into the lives of the people who constructed Stonehenge and going around the monument itself he learnt more about the Heel Stone, the Station Stones and the Albury Holes too. Throughout the tour you will also hear extracts from the recorded audio described guide for Stonehenge that can be pre-downloaded to your smartphone before your visit. To find out more about Stonehenge and the recorded audio described guide do visit - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge Image shows Toby and guide dog Boston with the Sarsen stone circle of Stonehenge behind and a clear blue sky overhead.

Berthed in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the world’s top tourist attractions and is a must visit for anyone coming to the Scottish capital. RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell stepped aboard for a look around and hear about the accessible guides available for blind and partially sighted visitors. For more info about visiting, go to www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Email enquiries@tryb.co.uk or call 01315555566. #RNIBConnect Image Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath.

Walking In The Light short documentary follows yoga teacher Dawn Blezard's journey as she takes on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge with failing vision due to her Stargardt's Disease. Paulina Kuchorew spoke with Dawn and filmmaker and journalist Anne Goulde about the documentary being selected for the Women Over 50 Film Festival 2026. Image shows a poster for the movie. Dawn in a rain walking jacket and dark glasses stands with a beautiful landscape opening up behind her from atop of one of the peaks.

This summer, RNIB Scotland partnered with Glasgow Speakers Club to deliver a course for five blind and partially sighted participants who indicated their interest in building this skill. Following weeks of lessons, they delivered their speeches to a captive audience, including The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Dr Jacqueline McLaren and sponsor of this event, Councillor Robert Mooney. RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew reports. 00:00 - 06:20 Jenn Worral and Robert H. King 06:20 - 13:15 Claire Forde and members of Glasgow Speakers Club 13:15 - 18:45 Luke Teasdale and Morag Wilson 18:45 - 21:40 Councillor Robert Mooney 21:40 - 27:00 The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Dr Jacqueline McLaren and James Adams, Director RNIB Scotland Image is a group photo taken on a columned staircase at Glasgow City Chambers. Bottom row left to right: Jenn (participant, with guide dog Snowball), The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Claire (participant), John McArthur (Glasgow Speakers Club), middle row: James Adams (Director, RNIB Scotland), Councillor Robert Mooney (sponsor), Luke Teasdale (participant), Morag (participant), Back row: Robert King (participant), Grace Hendry-Nash (Glasgow Speakers Club), Bobby Livingston (Glasgow Speakers Club), and Iona Adamson (RNIB Scotland volunteer).

Following on from the Government’s recent announcement that from 1 April 2027 disabled people in England which includes visually impaired people will be able to travel for free by bus at any time of the day lifting the current restriction of not being able to travel for free before 9.30am apart from at weekends and on Bank Holidays. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Erik Matthies, RNIB Policy Lead to find out more about this landmark change in bus travel in England for blind and partially sighted people. To find out more about some of the travel concessions that are available for visually impaired people do visit the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/money-and-benefits/benefits-concessions-and-grants/leisure-and-travel-concessions/

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description. RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NTatHome.com . Audio described performances included: Some Woman - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 20 November, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre, cloud 9 - Saturday 28 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Tuesday 12 January 2027, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre, The Jungle Book - Friday 8 January 2027, 7pm, touch tour 5pm and Saturday 30 January 2027, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre. From NTAtHome.com with audio description David recommended Hamlet and London Road. To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk And for more about NTatHome.com and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit- https://www.ntathome.com

David Hogg learns more about Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Education Advice Service… Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

With recent news that a new weekly type 2 diabetes jab if approved could replace daily injections for people living with the condition, RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Dr Louise Gow, RNIB Head of Optometry, Low Vision and Eye Care Support along with Berni Warren who is visually impaired and has Type 1 diabetes to find out more about the connections between diabetes and sight loss as well as what life might be like living with the condition on a day-to-day bases as a blind or partially sighted person. Louise talks about the different diabetes related eye conditions and how they can affect someones vision plus her thoughts on these new weekly injections and how easy it might all be to administer the injections as a blind or partially sighted person. Berni talks about her life as a visually impaired person and how she copes with being a Type 1 diabetic, how accessible everything is around monitoring her condition and how she is able to live a full life as a visually impaired person as a diabetic too. To find out more about diabetes related eye conditions do click onto the following link to the RNIB website or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for information and advice too - https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/diabetes-related-eye-conditions/